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  Discussion on Cyproheptadine and colic
Author Message
Member:
jamie111

Posted on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 - 11:58 am:

Hi, Dr. O. I posted previously about my horse under steroid use regarding treating his seasonal allergies. I had him on predisolone starting in May, slowly tapering off by the end of July. Unfortunately, his allergies returned by the middle of August, and I started him back up on 400 mg. predisolone daily and then every other day. So he's been back on Prednisolone for the last couple of weeks. Because his symptoms were still bad, I also started him on cyproheptadine (after reading your article and consulting with my vet). Starting Monday night, he received 200 mg cypro in powder form (he got that dose Mon. pm, Tues am, Tues pm, Wed am). On Wednesday morning, I received a call from my barn saying that my horse was acting colicky (which he has never done before). My vet came out within an hour and, after an exam, said he had a good sized impaction. She tubed him twice on Wednesday; by Thursday night, he had passed a good amount of manure and seemed to be back to normal. I'm cautiously optimistic that he's back to normal. Two questions for you: 1) I strongly suspect it was the cypro that caused him to colic (although my vet didn't agree). In your opinion, was his dose too high? Do you think it could cause a slowing down of his gut, creating an impaction? 2) What should I do as a general rule with his diet to help prevent this from happening again? Am I safe to think he's out of the woods, or should I continue to keep him off grain for the next several days? I'm continuing the prednisolone because I'm afraid to abruptly stop. How quickly can I wean him off of that? After the colic scare, his allergies seem trivial. Thanks, and let me know if I should be posting this at the end of my other post, under colic, or if this is correct.

Thanks very much for your advice.

Amy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Aug 30, 2008 - 7:53 am:

Hello Amy,
First let me say as a first choice of a antihistamine for allergies cyproheptidine should not be selected. The reason is that it has strong antiserotonin effects that are not needed but useful for other conditions. That said it is unclear what role cypro had in your horse's colic as this is not a reported adverse reaction with this medication. For better choice alternative antihistamines see Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Hair and Coat Problems / Itching / Irritated Skin » Culicoides Hypersensitivity: Sweet & Queensland Itch.

Second, I cannot answer many of your questions regarding your horse specifically, they would require an examination. However we do have general information that does provide answers to your questions like, "how do I prevent further episodes?" etc... You will find it at Diseases of Horses » Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract » Colic in Horses » An Overview of Colic. There is a specific subtopic in this article on impaction.

As to how to judge when a horse is truly over a colic we address this at Diseases of Horses » Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract » Colic in Horses » First Aid for Colic.

Concerning alternate day therapy and discontinuation, I would not expect problems in a horse that has been on ADT, that is why you use it to prevent adrenal suppression. But this needs to be done with your veterinarian's approval and supervision. You can read more about this at Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Prednisolone, Alternate Day Therapy.
DrO
Member:
jamie111

Posted on Saturday, Aug 30, 2008 - 8:49 am:

Thanks, Dr. O. I have read the suggested articles, and will certainly review again. My vet has had success with cyproheptadine with horses that are head shakers because of photic sensitivity as well as horses who toss their heads because of allergies--which is the category my horse falls into. I first tried hyDrOxyzine, but that had no effect. So we decided to try cypro.

Thanks, again for your help.

Amy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 8:12 am:

Yes, I agree cypro is indicated for unexplained and possibly photic headshaking.
DrO
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